Samantha Spiro enjoyed Doctor Who speculation

Samantha Spiro thought it was "good fun" when she was linked to the lead role in 'Doctor Who' after it was announced she had a cameo role in the show

Samantha Spiro thought it was "good fun" when she was linked to the lead role in 'Doctor Who'.

The 48-year-old actress sparked speculation she would be taking over from Peter Capaldi as the next incarnation of the Time Lord when it was announced she would have a cameo role in the upcoming series finale, and the award-winning star thought the rumours were hilarious and was happy to let them continue.

She said: "It was after I'd already finished filming it so I knew I wasn't going to be the next Doctor.

"It's always fun when there's speculation like that, and because nobody knows who the next Doctor is at the moment, you let people run with these things - so it's all good fun!"

Instead, viewers will see Samantha as Hazran, who needs the aid of the Doctor when she comes under attack by Cybermen.

She explained to RadioTimes.com: "As far as she's concerned she lives on a farm, and it's a very beautiful rural setting.

"The farmhouse where they live, she is protecting and looking after quite a few children, and there are adults who work the land as well. It's fairly idyllic, usually, but where we catch her and their life they are under attack from the Cybermen - so thing's aren't great currently for Hazran.

"She's the sort of person who's trying to hold it all together and probably wouldn't be successful if it wasn't for a bit of help that we get from the Doctor."

While Samantha only has a guest stint on the show, she had a "brilliant" time shooting her action-packed scenes.

She added: "It was brilliant for someone like me who probably didn't think they'd be doing much more of this kind of stuff to be there with a gun shooting Cybermen - lovely!"